On the occasion of the commemoration, UNESCO interviewed a university student and education rights activist Valentina Carrillo, about the gender inequalities she has perceived as a young migrant woman in Chile.
Valentina migrated to Chile at the age of 17 from Venezuela. She arrived with no expectations of studying, as she had to work to support herself. However, after a few years in the country, she was able to access higher education. Studying "gave my life meaning again. So, when I realized the low number of young migrants and refugees who managed to enter university - 2.66% in Chile - I immediately understood that I had to do something so that other young migrants and refugees, like me, could live and have that opportunity that I had had."
This is why Valentina started the foundation Young Migrants XDS. But her journey has not been without obstacles: "I would say that the worst situations I have experienced have not been due to being a student or activist, but due I am a migrant, young, and a woman, which are conditions that undoubtedly place you in a vulnerable situation, even more so when you do not have the necessary tools to face life, as was my case, and is the case for many."
Do you believe there are specific challenges affecting migrant girls and women within educational institutions?
Within educational institutions, the challenges are initially similar for both boys and girls, especially in terms of cultural and linguistic integration, the latter in the case of young people of Haitian nationality.
However, there are environmental factors that directly affect girls in their connection or performance in educational establishments. For example, their participation and permanence in the school system are often threatened because they must perform caregiving tasks. In many cases, these tasks are carried out throughout their migratory journey through different countries, resulting in them attending school less than their male peers and, therefore, being less academically prepared to integrate into school.
The lack of access to information and sexual and reproductive health services, for various reasons, can lead to sexually transmitted diseases or teenage pregnancies, the latter being a trigger for school dropout.
What measures do you believe should be taken to address these gender inequalities?
I believe it is necessary to ensure that young migrants have equal opportunities to access a dignified and quality education, working to eliminate administrative, linguistic, financial, and cultural barriers. For example, making administrative requirements for entry into higher education more flexible, scholarship programs, additional support within schools for girls whose first language is not Spanish, and tutoring or mentoring services.
On the other hand, I believe it is necessary to provide training and raise awareness about gender and human mobility to teachers and people in educational institutions, not only to create a more inclusive and respectful environment but also to work directly with families and promote the importance of girls' participation in the school system. I also think it is important to include content and material that promotes gender equality and stories of migrant and refugee women who have managed to develop their skills and abilities to lead a fulfilling life.
It is also very important to provide psychological and emotional support services within educational institutions for migrant girls and young women, recognizing the challenges they face due to their migratory situation and gender condition (intersection between uprooting, biological and psychosocial transformations at a complex age, in the case of girls).
Why do you think it is important for girls and women to actively participate in educational spaces?
The participation of girls and women in educational spaces is fundamental because it allows them freedom and gives them the opportunity to decide. Decide who they are and who they want to be, decide on their convictions, decide on their own life project, decide what they are passionate about, decide when to say no or yes, it allows them to empower themselves through education, but starting from recognizing themselves, their culture, from what they are.
On this International Women's Day, what message would you send to girls and women?
Girl, I warn you that there will be many "nos," that the path is difficult and often unfair, but I promise you it's worth fighting for yourself. Prepare yourself, study, put all your energy and heart into what you and I know makes us tickle in the belly. There are no limits when you know what you want and who you are, and here nobody gives up. We are here for you! A hug to all.
